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Cowboy Butter Prime Rib Roast Recipe

4.8 from 68 reviews

This Cowboy Butter Prime Rib Roast recipe features a perfectly roasted boneless prime rib coated with a rich and flavorful blend of herbs, spices, and butter. The preparation includes a high-heat initial roast to develop a crust, followed by gentle cooking to medium rare or medium doneness. Served with a reserved portion of savory cowboy butter, this dish is perfect for special occasions and impresses with its juicy, tender slices.

Ingredients

Scale

Cowboy Butter:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons coarse Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 4 teaspoons fresh thyme
  • 4 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Prime Rib:

  • 1 boneless prime rib roast, 6-7 pounds

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cowboy Butter: In a medium bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, Dijon mustard, chopped chives, parsley, fresh thyme, minced garlic, lemon juice, paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated to form about 1 ⅓ cups of cowboy butter. Optionally, use a food processor for easier mixing.
  2. Reserve Serving Butter: Set aside ⅓ cup of the prepared cowboy butter to serve alongside the finished prime rib. The remaining butter will be used to season the roast.
  3. Bring Roast to Room Temperature: Remove the prime rib from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 2 hours to ensure even cooking.
  4. Tie the Roast: If the roast is uneven in shape, use kitchen twine to tie it at 2-inch intervals to help it cook uniformly.
  5. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) and position the oven rack in the lower third to accommodate the roast.
  6. Prepare Roasting Setup: Place a roasting rack inside a large roasting pan and set the prime rib on the rack.
  7. Apply Cowboy Butter: Pat the roast dry with paper towels and rub the cowboy butter mixture generously all over the surface of the meat.
  8. Initial High-Heat Roast: Roast the prime rib at 500°F for 15 minutes to develop a deeply browned, flavorful crust.
  9. Lower Temperature and Continue Roasting: Without opening the oven door, reduce the heat to 325°F (163°C) and continue roasting for approximately 13 to 15 minutes per pound.
  10. Monitor Internal Temperature: Start checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer 30 to 40 minutes before the estimated time is up. Remove when the temperature reaches 120°F to 125°F for medium rare or 130°F to 135°F for medium doneness.
  11. Rest the Roast: Remove the prime rib from the oven and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 30 minutes to allow juices to redistribute evenly.
  12. Carve and Serve: Carve the prime rib against the grain into slices for maximum tenderness. Serve with the reserved cowboy butter, softened or slightly melted.

Notes

  • Use a meat thermometer with an external wire probe to monitor the temperature without opening the oven door, preserving cooking temperature and ensuring accuracy.
  • The temperature guides are approximate; check the roast regularly to avoid overcooking.
  • Tying the roast helps achieve even cooking and a better shape if your prime rib is irregularly shaped.
  • Resting the roast after cooking is essential for juicy and tender slices.

Keywords: prime rib roast, cowboy butter, beef roast, holiday roast, herb butter, dinner party roast